Betty Colvin passed away recently at the age of 87. “Betty was a lady of remarkably even temperament– she never seemed to be down in herself or in bad form. She was a lesson to us all in the care which she showed for everyone with whom she came in contact.” These words were spoken at her funeral by her good friend Tim O’Driscoll to whose children she was a nanny for many years. Tim knew Betty from working with her in the 1970s. “From day one she was a huge hit as she has been a hit in all walks of life and with everyone whom she has touched. She was the most obliging person I have ever worked with– nothing was ever too much trouble for her.”

Betty Colvin was one of five children who all went to school in St Matthew’s in Irishtown. She was descended from a glassblower from Scotland who married a Pullen from Ringsend. Betty moved from Cambridge Terrace to Tritonville Close, where she has been a huge part of life in that community and was unofficially in charge of the night bell for anyone in distress.

Betty was well-known in the Sandymount area as she cycled along the pavement. Indeed, she was on her bike two days before her sudden death. The bike has been bequeathed to Monica. The community garda threatened to summons her one day for cycling on the path. “Put me up before Judge Frank O’Donnell– he’ll look after me,” was her quick response.

Ronnie, Bill her nephews, extended family and the residents of Sandymount will all miss her greatly.